Vehicle started to hesitate when shifting, whining noise from rear end as well. Over drive light on, then finally vehicle stopped engaging gears. 2002 explorer has been sitting in driveway for one year due to transmission failure. Ford not willing to fix the problem. Vehicle has 58000 miles. Prior to this incident rear hatch window blew out two times with the second time glass blew off so violently it damaged paint on new vehicle (dealer and ford manufacturer refused to pay for repair and instructed me to file insurance claim) damage to other car was clearly due to defect in window hatch mechanism and they should pay. Nothing has been done.
2002 Ford Explorer body complaints
Page 11 of 17: complaints 281 to 310 of 486, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Cracking in panel below rear window of my 2002 ford explorer. I fear the nature of the crack has increased the possibility for the rear window to fall out during driving. Crack has just appeared due to no consequence or misuse. This apparently is becoming a common problem for this vehicle.
The back glass lift gate which had been replaced once before due to a recall broke. The glass door opened with the button on the key fob, and as I reached into the car to put a stroller in the door, it slammed down and hit the back of my head forcing my chin to also slam into the frame of the door.
Campaign number: 04v442000 date: 2004-sep-13 component: structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments the ford explorer had the recall work performed fall of oct 11,2005. On june 3,2006, about 8 months, the epoxy/tar used to "secure" the strut bracket on the glass failed in 90+degree weather (moderate sunny day, it will get hotter). From observation, using adhesive to prevent the ball joint from pivoting was a bad design. I opened the glass liftgate and started to reach in and the glass lift gate slammed down on my head. Due to local temperature and regular vibration from driving and the load from the strut, the adhesive yielded and the ball joint rotated causing the strut to pop off causing the glass liftgate to come down abruptly and without warning. Had this happen to my wife, she would have been seriously injured being petite. I notified the ford company and the dealer, both decline to repair the repair performed under recall as it was pass their warranty of 12 month or 12,000 miles. It was over the 12,000 miles. So I guess after 12 month or 12000 miles, ford is no longer liable if the recall repair injures or kills someone as it was a repair under a recall.
Dt*: the contact stated there are three cracks in the rear hatchback door above the emblem. The dealer and manufacturer have been alerted.
2002 explorer hatch cracked. *ts the consumer was told the reason why the hatch cracked was because the window and the panel were glued together and contracted at a different rate.
Broken plastic body panel on rear hatch of explorer 2002--vertical break in panel piece occurred just after purchase. Crack widens in cold weather and shrinks in warm, so it can't be patched. Just cosmetic, but rampant with this car. Ford apparently developed a "better" panel, but it is not considering this a recall defect. Very frustrating, but probably should be expected behavior.
Dt*: the contact stated while shifting gears, the automatic transmission made a clunking noise and the vehicle displayed a jerking motion. The vehicle was seen by a dealer and the solenoid housing of the automatic transmission was replaced. Afterwards, the problem persisted and the solenoid housing was again replaced by the dealer. The front pads were replaced. The drivers side door would pop open. There was a delay when shifting gears, and then the vehicle would slam into gear. Updated 04/06/06.
Rear lift hatch ,the piece of body under the glass, started out as a small crack. Now has split and separated all the way down. Took it to the dealership hoping to be treated with a little fairness. Wrong..it can be fixed, but at my expense.. Doesn't seem right. It happened on it's own and I'm finding out I'm not the only one it's happened to. The numbers should show there is a problem and should be dealt with by the ford company.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle's lift gate strut disengaged, it fractured the glass and the glass shattered. There was a recall on the federal safety agency campaign #04v442000, concerning the lift gate and attachments. The recall work was preformed; although, the remedy did not repair the problem. The vehicle was driven to the dealer for inspection and repair.
I have a 2002 ford explorer xls (45k miles) that was recalled in september 2004 for the back liftgate. I had the recall work done in august in 2005 at a local ford dealership. In january of 2006, the liftgate suddenly developed a crack (3-4 inches in length)right below the back window, just to the right of center. After taking it into the dealership, they are claiming that since it is not under warranty, I will be responsible for the costs of repair (about $300). They are claiming that ford has not issued a recall on this defect because ford does not consider it a "safety issue". I believe it is definitely a safety issue because the crack is directly under the rear window and will probably grow in size the longer it goes unrepaired. A noticeable crack that suddenly develops under the back window would seem to be an obvious safety concern. Furthermore, it is a "customer service" issue which ford should address. Also, I had no problems with cracking in the liftgate until after the recall work was done. These appear to be directly related. This is obviously a manufacturer defect and would seem to be a major safety concern. I have done research and I am not the only ford customer having this same problem with the 2002 explorer. I am expecting ford to address this problem and accept responsibility for this defect in the 2002 explorer.
Dt*: the contact stated there is a crack by the ford symbol in the back. There are no dents or debris around the crack. The dealership and manufacturer were alerted.
Dt*: the contact stated when the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop for state inspection, the technician determined all four rotors were corroded and flaked off when touched. There is corrosion on the entire underside of the vehicle. The technician stated it looks as though the entire vehicle was submerged in saltwater. The dealership and manufacturer have not been contacted.
In november 2005, the rear liftgate applique of my 2002 ford explorer cracked overnight. The crack is directly in line with the rear windshield wiper. The local ford dealership claims that they have seen several ford explorers with this same problem and it is caused by cold temperatures and windshield washer fluid getting into the plastic applique and forcing a crack. The night this occurred the temperature reached 10 degrees above zero. Because of this crack, I no longer can use this portion of the liftgate for fear that it will cause further damage to my vehicle. I called the ford customer service line where the representative did an investigation into my claim and no warranty or recall will cover this defect. The approximate cost of the repair is $300.00. This is an obvious defect in the manufacturing of the vehicle and should be recalled and repaired at ford's expense. This should not have happened to a vehicle that is made for inclement weather.
The back panel below the rear window developed a 1/4 inch crack from running from top to bottom.
Upside down "y" crack found in liftgate/hatch from bottom of rear window to bottom of hatch door, to the left of the ford emblem. Brought car to dealership where I purchased it 3 yrs ago, but was told it wasn't covered - out of warranty. Am concerned about the stability of the rear window and liftgate. This product defect should be recalled by ford and replaced at no charge.
Two large cracks below liftgate window . I took truck in for recall 04s20 and dealership said cracks were not fords problem bull ----- shame on ford I have been looking on internet complaints and many other people have the same problem . I think they should fix it correctly the first time.
Dt: the contact stated the plastic on the hatchback under the window cracked. The dealer and manufacturer offered no free remedy. No repairs have been made.
Dt: the contact had the federal safety agency recall campaign 01i010000 repairs performed on the rear liftgate glass in february 2005. Then, the rear liftgate glass shattered when he shut the liftgate. He contacted the dealer and manufacturer, and they offered no free remedy.
In may, 2005, ford dealer performed fix for the federal safety agency recall 04v442000. This recall is intended to prevent the rear tailgate glass from failing. The alarming issue is that 5 months after the recall fix was performed, the real tailgate glass exploded while the tailgate glass was in the open position. This occurred inside a closed garage so wind was not an issue. The force of the explosion sent thousands of pieces a glass flying as far as 15 feet. This could have injured anybody standing near the rear of the car. In this case, nobody was near the glass when it exploded. Perhaps there is a design defect in the recall fix, or perhaps the recall fix was installed incorrectly. Both the ford dealer and ford motor company have refused to take responsibility for repairs costs.
Crack below rear window.
Ford replaced hinges on back window 3 times per safety recall before getting it right. Now, the panel on the bottom of the window is cracked in several places, the service department claims it is not related. Ford body shop says it is.
I was driving my 2002 explorer at a low rate of speed and the back window blew out. Just spontaneously blew up, sending glass throughout the vehicle. In april 2005, the car was recalled for a back gate glass problem. The dealer says it was fixed. Now, six months later, the glass just blows up and causes damage to the back gate. This is odd and frightening. Had my children been in the third seat, they would have been sprayed with glass and injured. Luckily, I had just left them off at school. Please look into this matter for us.
I have developed a crack in the plastic applique beneath the liftgate window. It appeared as a scratch and has morphed into a full blown crack about six inches long.
Dt: the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer xlt. The contact has been having a problem with the rear end. The rear end made an extremely loud roaring sound. Took the vehicle the vehicle to three different repair shops. One said it was the tires, and the other two maintained that it was an expensive rear end problem. She talked to other people with this same type of vehicle and they all had this problem. Also, had a ring and pinion replaced in the rear end not long after she purchased the vehicle. Currently, they told her that this what was needed to be replaced again along with other parts , including the rear axle. This noise originally started at 55-65 MPH, and now it was making noise at 40-70 MPH. After going over 70 MPH could not hear it as badly. Also, the vehicle was leaking fluid from the ring and pinion. A strange sound that was coming from under the hood, like a buzzing sound that sounds like transmission. In addition, the hatchback glass fell on the contact's head. It just popped out. This happened twice. They do not even attempt to open the glass in the hatch. The dealership where she purcahsed her vehicle still has records of what was replaced on vehicle.
Rear hatch window lift failed and caused rear glass to shatter (luckily no one was hurt). The window was lifted to remove items from the rear and the lift arm apparently was wedged under the glass and it exploded so loudly that neighbors 2 houses away ran over and people walking down the street came to make sure no one was injured. We had the glass replaced by a glass company--this took 4 days due to the unavailability of the glass. They also indicated they had just (the same day) replaced another with the exact same problem and they had seen several in the last few weeks. The struts were not replaced and we were advised not to use the hatch door until they are. Our dealer was not responsive on this matter but I believe there needs to be an investigation. The glass co said that the window design was changed in or after 2002 so the struts are lower and support the glass correctly.
Dt: consumer stated he received a recall 04520 in 10-04. Consumer called the dealer numerous times. They put him on a list and indicated they would call him back. In 2-05 he received a card from ford stating dealer could now order parts for his vehicle. He called the dealer, and they said they didn't have the parts, and they will order them. The dealer said again he would be put on a waiting list. The recall was on liftgate back window brackets. That was six months ago and they still haven't called consumer. *ak
Rear hatch hinges popped off of bolts, known problem, recalled some vehicles, did not notify every owner. Will not pay for repairs.
Dt: contact stated there was a recall on the liftgate strut, and repairs were done. But on three different occasions the part popped off, on the fourth occasion the part broke again. Ford refused to pay for another repair.
2002 ford explorer safety bar to the tail gate cracked. *mr the safety bar cracked and caused the back window to flex. The consumer suggested that this same problem may occur on his 2003 model as well. *sc
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